Jacqueline "Jackie" (Leclair) Paquette

Jacqueline (Leclair) Paquette, age 85, A long time Dracut resident, formerly of Lowell, passed away surrounded by family, Sunday, July 18, 2021 at LGH following a brief illness. She was the beloved wife of the late Roland E. Paquette, who passed away in 2016.

Born in Lowell on January 7, 1936, she was the daughter of the late Henry and Merena (Lebranche) Leclair. She received her education in Lowell, and was a graduate of the former St. Louis Academy.
After marriage, she went on to pursue a nursing career, and worked at St. John's Hospital for nearly three decades, starting as a pediatric nurse, and retiring as an admitting clerk. Following her retirement, she worked at Jeanne d'Arc Credit union in Lowell for several years.

Jackie had a life-long musical talent beginning at an early age, playing guitar and singing with her sister Lucille (Tootsie), becoming a well known local duet, (The Leclair Sisters), and having a weekly broadcast show on the local radio station WOTW. In her retirement years, she learned to play the organ, and played for the former St. Teresa's church in Dracut. She was also an avid member of the church group for the Immaculate Conception in Lowell.

Besides music, she also loved knitting, and she and her friends started a knitting club in 1956, that still remains close today.

Her greatest joy, however, was hosting family gatherings, and spending time with her loving family and friends. Her favorite quote was,…"You can have anything you want at Mémère's house"

She is survived by her four children, Diane Morin and her husband Normand of Lowell, Julie Lefebvre of Lowell, Paul Paquette of Dracut, and David Paquette and his wife Jeannie of Dracut; nine grandchildren, Harmony, Bambie, Todd, Melody, Adam, Sean, Alan, Steven, and Marc; many great-grandchildren; a brother Hector "Junior" Leclair and his wife Pat of Burlington NJ, and a sister Sr. Lucille "Tootsie" Leclair, SASV of Trois-Rivires Quebec Canada; and many nieces and nephews.

She was also the sister of the late Yvette Souza, Rita Ruest, and Arline Gagnon.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Jackie's Life Celebration at the MCKENNA-OUELLETTE FUNERAL HOME, 327 Hildreth Street, Lowell on Wednesday from 9:00 until 11:00 am followed by her Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 12:00 pm at SAINTE MARGUERITE D'YOUVILLE Church in Dracut. Burial in St. Joseph Cemetery in Chelmsford. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Cancer Society. For directions or condolences, please visit www.mckennaouellette.com.